MEDICATIONS FORMS USED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
Solutions and Suspensions
This is one of the most common form of Drug Delivery System being used in ophthalmology today. Most of the topical ocular preparations are commercially available as solutions or suspensions, which are applied directly to the eye from the bottle via sterile eye dropper provided along with.
Patient should be cautioned about touching the dropper tip to the eye as it can lead to contamination of the medication beside causing ocular injury.
Patient should not also touch tip of the dropper with hand to avoid contamination of preparation.
Suspension forms should be shaken before use to provide an accurate dosage of drug.
Ointments
This is second most common form of drug delivery system used in ophthalmology.
The main purpose for an ophthalmic ointment vehicle is to prolong drug contact time with the eye.
Ointments are specially useful for treating children who may not cooperate for topically applied solutions.
Ointments are specially useful for medicating ocular injuries such as corneal abrasions where the eye needs to be patched.
Always administer solutions before ointments as ointments preclude entry of subsequent drops.
In general put 0.25-0.50 inch ribbon of ointment with as weeping motion inside the lower lid by squeezing the tube gently and slowly release the eyelid.
Ask the patient to close the eye for 1-2 minutes and remove excessive ointment around the eye.
Patients should be cautioned about temporary blurring of vision due to ointment.
Patients should avoid activities requiring visual acuity until blurring clears.
Gels
In modern ophthalmic drug delivery systems gels are fast gaining importance.
Ophthalmic gels are similar in viscosity and clinical usage to ophthalmic ointments.
Gels provide prolonged contact time for medication within the pre corneal tear film.
Sprays
Some ophthalmic medications like mydriatics and cycloplegics alone or in combination can be administered as spray to the eye to dilate pupil or cycloplegic examination.
This form is specially used for paediatric patients and solution is administered using a sterile perfume atomizer or plastic spray bottle.
Lid Scrubs
Certain commercial ophthalmic preparations (eyelid cleansers, antibiotic solutions or ointments) can be applied directly to eyelid margin for the treatment of noninfectious Blepharitis.
This is ideally achieved by applying the medication to the end of the special cotton tipped applicator and then scrubbing the eyelid margins several times daily.
Gauze pads supplied with commercially available eyelid cleansers are also suitable.
OPTOMETRY-SHARP VISION
Optometrist